Feeding the Hungry, P. C. Hiebert, 1929

Ph. Cornies, Chairman. Abr. Fast, Secretary. LETTER OF THANKS (508 signatures) To all the Mennonites of America, who have helped to re- lieve the suffering in Russia. When the rains failed to come in the year 1921 and the grain in our fields withered away, we looked into the future with deep concern, and asked ourselves this question: “What will become of us?” We parceled out the limited supply of food on hand into smaller and smaller portions so as to live as economically as possible, nevertheless the phantom monster, “Famine” came stalking towards us in giant strides. The few who still had supplies, gave to those who had none; one village would help another and one neighbor the other but even with all this we saw no prospect of living through the year till the next harvest. At this time various reports, claiming that the Amer- icans were preparing to help and were actually on the way, began to circulate from different sources; and many prayers went up to the Heavenly Father, asking that the American help might also reach us. Then we were told that it was coming to our district and finally after a very long wait, the message came, “Food has been allocated to the Nicopol district.” In the early part of April the first food arrived in our district for distribution. Enough to feed 267 of the 1660 starving persons for one month. During that month the number of those that hungered increased to 2200, and a great many were already swelling as direct results of starva- RESPONSES FROM RUSSIA 399 tion. Whereupon we received a second allocation of sup- plies, enough to feed 1500 persons for two weeks. We re- joice exceedingly and express our sincerest thanks for the great help that has been brought to us. May God abun- dantly bless each donor. We thank you, and say “The Lord reward you!” We attempt to express our gratefulness by each signing his own name. (Then follow the 508 sig- natures.) H. Isaak, Secretary, Nicopol District Relief Committee. CHORTITZA AND ROSENTAL LETTER OF THANKS PL prile Za oZc. To the Mennonite brethren of North America: When we viewed our very limited crop last fall, a sense of fear and anxiety threatened to overwhelm us. The small reserves of food material could at best be sufficient for two or three months. From our neighboring districts, we could expect no help, for they were as badly off as we. Starvation and a miserable death were mercilessly staring us in the face. Then we learned that the report of our hopeless situation had reached our brethren beyond the great ocean, and that they had taken pity and were sending us relief. The very consciousness of the fact that we were not for- gotten gave us new courage and saved us from despair. Through our utmost exertions we have succeeded in keeping the “monster, death from starvation” largely beyond the limits of our brotherhood. Only a small number have actually died of starvation; but how pale and hagga